Some Ugly Moments

It’s getting ugly. Perhaps a more accurate statement would be that it’s getting uglier.

This Week

It has been a week for ugliness.

A friend posted about an interview on national TV. A woman mentioned that her husband, a soldier killed in the line of duty, was a man who believed in Jesus. As clips of the interview aired throughout the day, the name of Jesus was omitted. As if the name of Christ was just too ugly to mention.

A friend asked advice about doing more regarding the prejudice of people towards immigrants and Americans of Arab descent. He was distraught about the ugliness he sees spewing out towards them.

A friend came by to tell me their marriage is falling apart. My friend spoke of the ugliness of deeply hurtful attitudes and actions. It was heart-breaking. The depth of despair a person can suffer due to the depth of suffering another person can inflict is terrible.

I stopped watching the President’s address. I can’t stomach the ugliness that is America’s political environment. The President’s party stood and cheered, while across the aisle it was stares, glares, and crickets. It was the same when the last President was in office, with the other side glaring and staring. I understand disagreement. But frankly, we seem to have devolved into absurdity. It’s ugly.

Here’s A Thought

There’s a battle being going on for our minds and we need to wage an effective warfare. Here are some thoughts about armor and defensive weapons.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.”

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

“Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

To Close

We live in a cynical world that’s a fallen, dark, and broken place. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Fill your minds and hearts with light and divine power. Then take your stand.